Page 15 - 1971 Stutz

1 9 7 1 STUTZ BLACKHAWK SERIES I
Later at another gas station. Admittedly, a Blackhawk with a 460 CID and 425 hp V-8 does not get the best gas mileage. Exner’s design ensured that the lines and proportions are classically correct. Note how the greenhouse terminates just above the rear axle line, a proportion seen on 1930s coupés on Hispano-Suiza, Bentley or Duesenberg chassis.
Back in the shop, it soon transpired that the body was full of filler and that there was substantial rust. Many unoriginal parts had been mounted whenever the car had been in need of fixing up over the years.
An eight-year nut-and-bolt restoration followed. Years were spent sourcing the rare lights, interior fittings, Lear Jet radio and many more obscure items in order to achieve a high level of correctness. Many of these were Maserati parts, as the Carrozzeria Padane was building the Maserati Mistral, Bora and Indy models under contract to Maserati at the time. Comprehensive metalwork was performed on 276571A172808. The engine and transmission were entirely
restored and renovated and a new correct wiring loom was made. The interior was completely restored as the original interior was beyond saving, and the lost fitted luggage was recreated at great expense. It was decided to paint the car in a deep battleship gray in order to bring out its extraordinary lines and chrome accents to full effect. Finally, a set of the extremely rare 17-inch Firestone LXX wheels and tires were sourced and painstakingly restored. The restoration is copiously documented. 276571A172808 is now offered with a complete concours-level restoration with approximately 200 shake-down miles on it. The car is likely the best Series I Blackhawk in the world.
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